Question
What is the meaning of Shivaaya?
Answer
शिवाय (Śivāya) is 4th Vibhakti of शिव (Shiva). 4th Vibhakti means to/for whom.
So the meaning of Śivāya would be to/for Shiva.
Example: ॐ नमः शिवाय (Om Namah Shivaya): Om salutations to Lord Shiva!
Below are the basic details on 8 Vibhaktis:
- 1st: Subject
- 2nd: Object
- 3rd: by/with/through whom
- 4th: to/for whom
- 5th: from whom
- 6th: shows possession (E.g. Ram's or of Ram)
- 7th: in/on whom
- 8th: when addressing
The below lines of Ram Raksha Stotra have all the Vibhaktis in order:
रामो राजमणिः सदा विजयते रामं रमेशं भजे।
रामेण अभिहता निशाचरचमू रामाय तस्मै नमः।
रामात् नास्ति परायणं परतरं रामस्य दासोस्म्यहम्।
रामे चित्तलयः सदा भवतु मे भो राम! मामुद्धर।।३७॥
I worship Rama whose jewel (among kings) who always wins and who is lord of Lakshmi (goddess of wealth)। Through whom the hordes of demons who move at night have been destroyed, I salut that Rama [my salutations to that Rama]।
There is no place of surrender greater than Rama, (and thus) I am servant of Rama।
My mind is totally absorbed in Rama. O Rama, please lift me up (from lower to higher self)॥37॥
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